The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of plotting to disrupt and manipulate the upcoming bye-elections in Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the state constituencies of Sabon Gari and Zaria.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, disclosed the allegations in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 14, 2025, after joining ADC candidate Alex Adanu and party officials at a press briefing.
In a joint statement, the ADC/SDP Coalition alleged that the APC government, fearing defeat in a free and fair contest, has recruited about 4,000 thugs from within and outside Kaduna to intimidate voters and opposition members at polling units and collation centres. The coalition also accused the state government of attempting to compromise Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials through inducements such as land allocations, and holding secret meetings with senior electoral personnel.
The parties further claimed that the Kaduna State Government compelled all 23 local government councils to contribute N30 million each to fund the alleged sabotage, with an additional N4.8 billion reportedly provided from Abuja for vote-buying, bribery of electoral officers, and manipulation of security agencies. According to the coalition, a former senator allegedly known for orchestrating electoral violence has been tasked with disbursing the funds.
Describing the alleged plot as an assault on democracy, the coalition said the operations were being coordinated at the highest levels of the state government, with a serving Commissioner for Local Government Affairs overseeing the recruitment of thugs. It accused officials in Kudan, Soba, and Zaria of mobilising gangs to disrupt opposition campaigns and events. The parties urged INEC and security agencies to take urgent action to halt the alleged unlawful activities and ensure a peaceful, credible poll.
The coalition called on INEC to demonstrate its neutrality by replacing any compromised staff, and on security agencies to resist being used to violate voters’ rights. They also demanded the arrest and prosecution of any government officials, including the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, found to be involved in sponsoring violence, stressing that those who threaten the peace and integrity of elections must be held accountable.